Dual boot with XP/2000/NT and install linux/windows whenever You want

This is for those people who have dumped Windows 98 and adopted Windows 2000/NT/XP as their os’s and want linux to dual boot with these.

CAUTION : This how to wont work with Windows 98/95/ME . Actually i haven’t used ME and so i don’t know.Anyways this will only work with those Windows versions which use ntloader to boot.

There are a few pre requisites.

a) a linux boot disk/live cd
b) Use Windows 2000/NT/Xp and one of its partitions must be FAT (other than NTFS)
c) You should really know basics like partition naming in Linux and mounting.

Problem :

Installing / re installing Linux/Windows 2000/XP/NT whenever You want , without managing to mess up the MBR.

Scenario 1.

Installing Linux along with an existing windows installation .

I.Setting Up partitions

If You don’t have a linux partition , make space for it , by repartitioning my disk.

Ideally You would free up a partition and divide it into two , one part for swap space , the other part for the installation.swap space partition size = 2 times that of your RAM

In the non ideal case that is , if you cant free up a whole partition you would first defragment the drive and then create two new partitions from it using PQMagic , so you don’t loose data and you get two more drives. the new partition’s size will be as above

II.Installing Linux

Now you can go about installing your linux system. Here the issue to be taken care of is installing the boot loader (LILO/GRUB) to the proper place

Usually the installation program will ask u were to load the boot loader. default choice would be on the MBR. Now DON’T GO FOR THIS . If u want to go my way , don’t go for it. Instead , get the installer to install the boot loader onto the root partition.Also note down the root partition’s name , ie) the ‘/dev/hda*’ where * is 1,4,5 etc.
If possible create a boot disk

III. Setting up the system to boot windows too.

now when you reboot , you will go directly to the NT/XP/2000 boot menu.

Don’t worry , your Linux installation is safely sitting there.

Now boot using the linux boot disk / live cd

mount the non NTFS windows partition using the following commands

mkdir /mnt/windowsdrive
mount /dev/hda* /mnt/windowsdrive

where * is 1,4,5 etc.

Now use this command to get first 512 bytes of your root partition

dd if=/dev/hdaN of=/mnt/windowsdrive/bootsect.lnx bs=512 count=1

replace /dev/hdaN with your Linux root partition name (/dev/hda something) .I had asked you to note it down , hadn’t I?

now boot to windows. find out the bootsect.lnx file from which ever drive u wrote it to using the previous command.Copy it to C:\

open boot.ini and add the following line to its end

c:\bootsect.lnx=”Linux”

Reboot

Now you will see “Linux” showing up in your Windows boot menu.

When u choose linux it will load the linux boot loader (LILO/Grub which ever u installed.)

You may want to remove the “Windows” choice from the linux boot loader’s menu. There is no harm if u leave it there

Scenario 2.

Installing Windows NT/2000/XP along with an existing Linux installation .

1.Setup partitions.

Don’t touch the linux partitions. No other precaution needed. also make the windows partition bootable.

2.Install Windows NT/2000/XP. Let it over write the MBR

3.Follow step III of Scenario 1.

Thats all

Single click to open applications in Vista

Some people dont like to open applications by double clicking on it.For such people, they can open the applications in a single click if they follow the below tips.

Press “Windows + E” to bring up the My computer.

Then click “Organize > Folder and Search Options“.

In the folder options window ,select “Single click to open an item“.

Then Click “OK”.

Hug a developer : I’m one among them

Change never changes : Transform your windows

If you’re bored of having to look at the same kind of icons and eyecandy everytime, you can download and install these free transformation packs, and transform XP to look like any other OS.

(Note: Some of the listed transformation packs are quite extensive so please read installation guidelines carefully)

Vista Transformation Pack [Download]

Vista Transformation Pack does all kinds of appearance tweaks, and makes Windows XP look like Vista. From icons, transparency to new sounds, this pack does it all to make your XP look like Windows Vista.

Mac OS Transformation Pack [Download]

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Transforms XP to look like Mac OS X 10.5. Some important components like Windows Explorer and other shell files are patched to mimic Mac OS X appearance. Work only with Windows XP SP2 (English version).

FlyakiteOSX [Download]

Again, make your windows look like Mac OS X. However, it’s much more comprehensive than the above one. This enhancement utility does everything from registry tweaks, visual styles, sounds, icons to imitate the appearance of Mac OS X. See other screenshots here. If you’re using iTunes then make sure to deselect ‘iTunes Multi-Pugin’ option (under ‘Software’) in the installation wizard.

Fedora Transformation Pack [Download]

This tool is intended for making XP resemble the Fedora Linux Distro. Though the utility just packs a simple visual style, it does include icons, screensavers and wallpapers, and other Fedora-like skins for programs.

Ubuntu Transformation Pack [Download]

This pack contains visual styles, icons and other patches that can give the brownish Ubuntu look to Windows XP. If you just can’t get Ubuntu working on your PC, but still love its looks, you can download this pack. [via]

Windows Vista Online :) wanna try?

If you want to run Windows Vista on your computer without disturbing the existing setup, the best option for you is to download a free copy of Virtual PC and install the associated Vista virtual image*.

Now if that sounds a bit complex, here’s something more simple for you that requires no downloads or complex setup.

Called the “Windows Vista SPI Ultimate Test Drive”, this product from TechNet Virtual Labs let you test Windows Vista online inside a browser without making any changes to your current work environment.

To experience it live, just go to windowsvistatestdrive.com. You get a chance to explore all features / programs included in Windows Vista (including games) and also Microsoft Office Profession 2007 as you may noticed in the screenshot.

You can explore Vista on your own, or follow along with guided exercises and videos. There’s something similar for Office 2007 if you like to try out just Microsoft Office 2007 in a browser without Vista. Thanks Matt.

*Microsoft seems to have discontinued distributing VHD images of Office Professional.

Self Destructing Email

This note will self-destruct in five seconds! No longer do the spies in movies get to be the only ones sending or receiving notes that self-destruct. Now, you can send notes that destroy themselves as soon as your recipient reads them. Let’s check this out!

It’s a three step process. Step one: write the note. Step two: send the link for the note to the person the note is intended for. Step three: they read it and it’s destroyed right away!

So, start by typing your note in the blank text box. Once you’re finished composing your note, you have a decision to make. Do you want to know if they’ve read it? If so, make sure you click on the checkbox and fill in your e-mail address. If not, just click Post.

That will then create a link you can copy and paste into an e-mail addressed to your intended recipient. Then your work is done! They just have to read it and the message will self-destruct.

I sent myself one as a test and it really does destroy the messages after they’re read. In fact, it will inform you how long ago the note was read. How cool is that?!

This Web site gets two thumbs up from me for being so cool. Go enjoy it!

https://privnote.com/